Resident Ikeshia Brown

Resident Ikeshia Brown

Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

"When it opened it was nice here, and then it just went downhill," said Ikeshia Brown, right, who lives in one of the Somerville Apartments units. "You would be scared to walk outside at a certain time of day." At left are Brown's children, Tyree, 4, and Kayanna, 3.

"When it opened it was nice here, and then it just went downhill," said Ikeshia Brown, right, who lives in one of the Somerville Apartments units. "You would be scared to walk outside at a certain time of day." At left are Brown's children, Tyree, 4, and Kayanna, 3. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

"When it opened it was nice here, and then it just went downhill," said Ikeshia Brown, right, who lives in one of the Somerville Apartments units. "You would be scared to walk outside at a certain time of day." At left are Brown's children, Tyree, 4, and Kayanna, 3.